CHIPPENHAM NEWS: A SUPPLY teacher who dished out cannabis to his teenage pupils during drink and drug sessions at his Calne flat has been jailed for two years.

Richard Gledhill, 44, was found out after the parents of one of his pupils became suspicious after reading text messages on his teenage son's mobile phone.

The father of the 15-year-old boy said his family was "falling apart" as a result of the case.

Judge Keith Cutler told Gledhill his actions could have resulted in long-term effects on his pupils, with parents "rightly appalled" at their children being introduced to drugs by a teacher.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said the teacher formed friendships with four teenage pupils, all boys aged between 13 and 15 years old.

Inviting them to his flat above the King George pub, Gledhill offered them cannabis and booze during overnight stays.

One 14-year-old boy, who also helped Gledhill run a mobile disco, had been allowed to stay over after the teacher befriended his parents, but other boys lied about where they were staying.

Mr Meeke said the drink and drug sessions were unveiled when the father of one of the boys found "bizarre" text messages from Gledhill on his son's phone, including one saying 'smoke and booze will be here on Saturday'.

Gledhill, who suffers from a long-term drink problem, told officers he probably sent the messages while in a drunken state.

In a series of statements from parents, one father said he banned his son from seeing Gledhill out of school hours, while a second said the teacher's actions were "totally unbelievable".

Robin Shellard, defending, said this was not a normal case of child abduction.

"Most of these teenagers were in his house willingly but without their parents permission," he said.

"What lay behind these appalling incidents is the excess use of alcohol that lay behind the chaotic lifestyle he was beginning to lead.

"Occasionally the alcohol was combined with cannabis and good judgement he had exercised for the majority of his 44 years went out of the window."

Former students and their parents were in court to offer their support with character references detailing Gledhill's caring and unique approach to teaching.

Judge Cutler said Gledhill had broken the bond of trust placed in him by parents.

"You know as well as anyone that teachers can get in difficulties if they get too familiar with their students.

"They can have behavioural problems and there are all sorts of effects that follow from such behaviour.

"Parents trust their teachers at school to behave in a law-abiding and proper manner.

"It seems to me these four children deserve to be protected from your actions whether they want to be protected or not."

Gledhill had pleaded guilty to three counts of child abduction and four counts of supplying a class B drug to children at an earlier hearing.

Lee Armit, of Wiltshire Police's Child Protection Unit, said: "I think the sentence will send a clear warning that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable and will be investigated."